CLEARING THE WAY – Trees have been cut down near the Avenue A entrance in anticipation of work on the raising of the Bayonne Bridge. Work has already started and signs indicate that drivers should expect delays.

On Oct 24 at about 7:30 a.m., the Bayonne Fire Department responded to

99 West 36th Street for a reported building fire. Arriving firefighters witnessed smoke pushing from a second floor window in the front of the wood framed house. An entire bedroom was consumed by the fire, but was quickly extinguished preventing extension and fire damage to the rest of the structure. One occupant, home at the time of the fire, reported that he took the cats out and upon returning to the building smelled smoke and called the Fire Department. A total of 3 people were displaced seeking shelter due to fire, smoke, and water damage throughout the building. The fire investigator ruled the fire accidental, the result of a failed lightweight extension cord. There were no reported injuries.

Bayonne general election

Bayonne residents will get to vote for their choice of governor, sheriff, state senator, and state assembly members on Nov. 5

Republican Gov. Christopher Christie is being challenged by Democratic state Senator Barbara Buono. While in the 31st District that includes all of Bayonne and a portion of Jersey City, former Bayonne Councilwoman Maria Karczewski, a Republican, is attempting to unseat Democratic state Senator Sandra Cunningham.

Incumbent Democratic Assemblymen Charles Mainor and Jason O’Donnell are defending their seats against a challenge by Republicans Gerald Pizzillo and Juanita Lopez.

Democratic incumbent Hudson County Sheriff Frank X. Schillari of Secaucus is being challenged by Republican Fernando F. Villar Jr. of West New York, and independents John Butranavage of Jersey City, Anthony Di Iorio of Bayonne and Herbert H. Shaw of North Bergen.

Bayonne company to manufacture rifles in Wisconsin

Henry Repeating Arms, based in Bayonne, announced last week that it will begin manufacturing some of its rifles at a facility in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. The company upgraded the facility with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment after taking over the property in 2006.

The Bayonne High School Arts Academy opens

After a summer of intense work to get it ready, School officials said the Bayonne High School Academy of Fine Arts and Academics opened its doors in mid-October. Constructed to provide space for a variety of performing and fine arts, the facility will help retain some of the artistic students who have been previously lured away to other schools, and provides space and classes that will help prepare students for a career in the arts.

Redevelopment areas on the Council agenda

The City Council voted to introduce two ordinances that will designate areas near the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Line and Route 440 as areas in need of redevelopment. The public hearing for these properties will be at the Nov. 13 council meeting.